ODI World Cup 2023

‘Karna hi hai or else do his pay cut’ – Fans react as Rohit Sharma reveals his responsibility in Team India with 2023 World Cup around the corner

Since the 2013 Champions Trophy victory, India have never managed to win any major tournament.

Aug 12, 2023 1:25 pm

With the 2023 ODI World Cup fast approaching, Team India is looking to end its drought for a major international trophy. Since the 2013 Champions Trophy victory, India have never managed to win any major tournament. After succeeding Virat Kohli as the Indian captain, everyone expected Rohit Sharma to lead the country to great heights, but barring some bilateral wins and a Border-Gavaskar Trophy win, the Mumbai Indians skipper has nothing in his portfolio.

Having led the team in Asia Cup 2022, T20 World Cup 2022 and World Test Championship (WTC) Final 2023, Rohit failed to shine in the role. Notably, since his full-time captaincy tenure with Team India, the 36-year-old’s form has dipped across all three formats. Speaking to the media, the veteran opener said that his captaincy would be secondary to the team in the ODI World Cup and that his batting will be crucial for the team’s success.

“I need to do first as a batter. Captaincy is secondary… my role in the team is more as a batter. Obviously to captain well as well, (but) first of all, I have to score big runs and win games for the team,” he said.

The right-handed batter was instrumental in India reaching the semi-finals in the last two editions of the ODI World Cup. He was the highest run-scorer in the 2019 World Cup with whopping five centuries at a superb strike rate. In recent times, his form has not been great and India will want their ‘Hitman’ to regain his 2019 form in the upcoming edition to lead the team from the front with the bat.

I have never won an ODI World Cup: Rohit Sharma

Rohit recently took part in one of the legs of the 2023 World Cup Tour in Barbados, where he recounted his bittersweet memories of the 2011 ODI World Cup. Considered one of the future stars of Indian cricket, the Mumbai cricketer failed to make it to the 2011 World Cup winning squad. Disappointed by his unexpected elimination, he was forced from watching the match live at his home, instead of going to the stadium.

With the 2023 World Cup less than two months away, Rohit, who has yet to win a premier 50-over tournament, is eager to add that feather to his cap.

“Honestly, I have never won a (50 overs) World Cup, it’s a dream to win a World Cup and to be here fighting for it nothing makes me happier than that. You don’t get World Cups on a platter, you have to really work hard and that is what we have been doing all these years from 2011 till now we all are fighting for it,” he said.

Here’s how fans reacted to Rohit Sharma’s statement:

Both Rohit and Virat need to come back to touch to win this World Cup, like how top order carried 2019 WC. Because middle order is very collapsing

— User45 (@140of113) August 11, 2023

Yes we haven't seen in decades!

— s47 (@s47here) August 11, 2023

Rohit has very good record in @ICC tournaments.

If he fails this time, India will be in trouble.

— Manjeet kumar🇮🇳#RB (@Manjeetkumar_) August 11, 2023

https://twitter.com/Kulal99/status/1689993548400373760

You have already done that many times ❤️

— Em! (@Insane__Emi) August 11, 2023

Most 100s in the ODI WCs (Indians) :

1. Rohit – 6
2. Sachin – 6
3. Ganguly – 4
4. Dravid – 2
5. Sehwag – 2

Hitman at the top 🔥🔥

— Harry Potter (@FromHogwartz) August 11, 2023